<p>Nickel superalloys are widely used in the aerospace industry and power generation from gas due to their excellent thermomechanical and chemical properties. Investment casting ensures that nickel superalloys are manufactured with the desired near-net shape and microstructure, providing the required thermomechanical properties. However, defects arising during the casting process, especially from the microstructural development during solidification and from mold metal reactions, have impeded the further advancement of nickel superalloys as well as cooling technologies applied in gas turbines. By analyzing phenomena such as recrystallization and mold metal reactions during the manufacturing process, a more thorough understanding of how to increase turbine engine efficiency through process optimization can be achieved, as well as a reduction of the scrap rates in the turbine blade casting process is possible. Additionally, potential solutions for mitigating the aforementioned defects are discussed in order to give a better perspective for future superalloy and turbine blade design.</p>